Latest news in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, summary. Live

● “The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is behind us, and instability is giving way to cooperation and development. We believe the countries will soon sign a peace agreement. The region is turning into a new geopolitical hub focused on cooperation,” Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz told the pro-government outlet Report. He described as a crucial milestone the joint declaration signed by the leaders of the two countries on August 8 in Washington with U.S. participation, which includes the opening of regional transport routes. “The launch of negotiations on the TRIPP transit project, which is to be implemented within the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries of the region, is extremely important for economic integration in the South Caucasus,” Yılmaz said.

● Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan thanked Azerbaijan for its decision to unblock cargo transit and stressed the “importance of further constructive changes between Armenia and Azerbaijan that will ensure the development of trade, improvement of logistics processes, and strengthening of regional economic resilience.” He made these remarks while speaking at a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Council in St. Petersburg, Russia. Armenia is a member of the EAEU (an economic union led by Russia), while Azerbaijan is not.

Analysis from Baku: Azerbaijan to supply oil to Armenia: official silence and political-economic implications

Analysis from Yerevan: ‘First economic deal since independence’: Azerbaijani petrol arrives in Armenia

● Major opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector were discussed at a joint press conference in Baku by the foreign ministers of Montenegro and Azerbaijan, Ervin Ibrahimović and Jeyhun Bayramov. “Azerbaijan aims to become a leader in the transportation of energy resources, while Montenegro seeks to serve as an energy hub between the Balkans and Europe. Montenegro has significant potential in renewable energy: the country enjoys more than 200 sunny days a year and has substantial hydropower resources. We will find opportunities for cooperation within the framework of the Ionian–Adriatic Pipeline, which will be of strategic importance from Azerbaijan to Western Europe,” Ibrahimović said.

● A delegation led by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz is arriving in Baku today to take part in the 12th meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation.

● A new investigative documentary titled The Oligarch’s Design is being actively discussed in the media and on social networks. The film examines the criminal financial past of Ruben Vardanyan, the former “prime minister” of the now-defunct unrecognized “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” who is currently under arrest in Baku. He is accused of attempting a coup and committing war crimes, with prosecutors seeking a life sentence. The film focuses largely on the activities of the Troika Laundromat financial network, through which billions of dollars were moved via offshore structures. According to Azerbaijani media reports, one of the film’s interviewees, Juliette Garside, The Guardian’s editor for European financial affairs, questions Vardanyan’s claims that he was one of Troika’s founders but was unaware of the fraudulent schemes. “These claims seem unlikely, especially since some of his own funds passed through the same network of companies,” Garside says. Another interviewee, Jamison Firestone, the lawyer who represented the late Sergei Magnitsky, speaks in the film about a direct link between the Magnitsky investigation and the Troika Laundromat scheme. “The money Sergei uncovered was stolen from the state treasury, passed through the Troika Laundromat to leave Russia, and ultimately ended up in the pockets of some very influential Russian officials,” Firestone says.

According to local media, the film also addresses the activities of the Aurora Foundation, an international philanthropic festival held annually in Yerevan, which was founded and financed by Ruben Vardanyan. The documentary includes interviews with well-known figures from various countries who took part in the festival.

The premiere of The Oligarch’s Design took place in Baku on December 19. The film is not yet available to the general public.

● The implementation of an amnesty act begins today. It was initiated by President Ilham Aliyev and subsequently approved by the Milli Majlis. It is expected to affect more than 20,000 people in total. Reports say the list will primarily include individuals who took part in combat operations to defend the country’s territorial integrity, close relatives of those killed or missing during those operations, as well as those “who suffered as a result of Armenia’s military provocation against the civilian population.” Overall, implementation of the law will take four months, and each release will take place with the participation of officials, civil society representatives, and the media.

● An attempt to illegally smuggle a large batch of medicines – 83,000 units – from Turkey into Azerbaijan has been thwarted. The drugs were found hidden inside a shipment of sunflower oil during an X-ray inspection.

● “Armenia is ready for mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of the EAEU (the Eurasian Economic Union led by Russia – JAMnews),” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said while speaking at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in St. Petersburg, Russia.

● In the same speech, Nikol Pashinyan expressed gratitude to the president of Azerbaijan for the decision to unblock cargo transit to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory.

● The United Kingdom is working with the Armenian government to help prepare for key events to be held in Armenia next year: parliamentary elections, a meeting of the European Political Community, and COP17. This was stated by UK Ambassador Alexandra Cole in a New Year’s greeting video delivered in Armenian.

● “We are proud to remain committed to supporting peace and security in the region by conducting continuous, 24/7 monitoring of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border,” the EU civilian monitoring mission in Armenia said in a statement.

● The United States is recalling its ambassador to Armenia, along with ambassadors to 29 other countries, the Associated Press reported. A source in Donald Trump’s administration said: “All of these diplomats were appointed during Joe Biden’s presidency. But the diplomatic corps should consist of people who fully support Trump’s political priorities, known under the slogan ‘America First.’” The largest number of diplomatic changes is expected in Africa. In Europe, in addition to Armenia, ambassadors will be recalled from North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovakia. US Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien was appointed in February 2023; prior to that, she served as Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Ukraine from 2020 to 2022.

● Nikol Pashinyan held an informal meeting with a group of representatives from the technology, scientific, and education sectors. The discussion covered a wide range of issues related to Armenia’s development, economic growth, investment opportunities, capital market progress, human resources development, and the rebranding of Armenia.

● A large quantity of weapons and drugs was found at the home and workplace of the director of the Malatia gold market. He was detained and taken to a police station on suspicion of illegal possession and use of narcotics, as well as illegal possession and carrying of weapons and ammunition.

● Prominent actor Andro Chichinadze, who was arrested during pro-European protests (photo: Publica), has said he does not intend to request a pardon, responding to a corresponding offer from Georgian Dream–affiliated President Mikheil Kavelashvili. “I will not sign any documents related to this issue. A few days ago, I also refused an offer of conditional early release. The only possible solution for me is an objective and impartial decision by the Tbilisi Court of Appeals,” he said.

● The Center for Social Justice demands an immediate investigation into alleged cases of human trafficking and abuses related to surrogacy in Georgia. “Information has spread in international and local media about the so-called ‘black market’ of surrogacy in Georgia. It is apparent that this business is based on alleged practices of human trafficking and systematic violence. Georgia is one of the few countries where surrogacy is fully legal, including commercial surrogacy and surrogacy for foreigners. It is precisely this unregulated and low-cost environment that has made Georgia a kind of center for surrogacy. The overwhelming majority of couples using surrogacy services in Georgia are foreigners. Between 2019 and 2024, 4,674 children were born in Georgia through surrogacy,” writes the Center for Social Justice.

●  Irakli Kandashvili has been elected chair of the Georgian Bar Association following the completion of the second round of voting. Kandashvili received 1,473 votes, while his opponent, Irakli Khomakashvili, received 1,366.

● A Georgian citizen born in 1979 has been arrested for robbing a monastery in the village of Surami. He stole money from the donation box and church items. It was later established that this was not the first time he had robbed the monastery. The Interior Ministry reported that he had previously been convicted of various serious crimes.

● Two Georgian films made it onto the list of the top films of 2025 published by the British Film Institute. Ranked 9th on the list is “Dry Leaf” directed by Alexandre Koberidze, a Georgia-Germany co-production. It tells the story of a father searching for his missing daughter, who has become fascinated with photographing football fields in rural Georgia.

At 24th place is “April” directed by Dea Kulumbegashvili, a co-production of Georgia, Italy, and France. It is the story of a gynecologist, Nina, a gynecologist, Nina, carrying out illegal abortions.

● New York City Mayor Eric Adams held an opening ceremony for a Georgian cultural space—the New York Suite at the Telegraph Hotel. The project was created by the Georgian business group Silk Road and the US-based Georgia Heritage Foundation. It is described as “a specially designed space reflecting the energy, unique dynamics, and spirit of New York.”

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 15-19 December, 2025